HC Deb 20 June 1980 vol 986 c709W
Mr. Lamborn

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether the docklands southern relief road is eligible for aid under the European Economic Community's proposed expenditure on transport infrastructure ;

(2) whether the docklands southern relief road is eligible for funding as a non-agricultural project under the terms of the renegotiation of Great Britain's contribution to the European Economic Community budget;

(3) whether there is any possibility of the docklands southern relief road being financed from European Economic Community funds.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

EEC grants towards the cost of road schemes are at present confined, under the European regional development fund, to those in assisted areas. I cannot yet say whether the scheme in question would qualify for Community support either under the terms of the special expenditure arrangements agreed in the renegotiation of our contribution to the EEC budget, or through the Commission's proposals for a new European transport infrastructure fund. Draft regulations on both these matters are still under discussion.